Meet the Trustees!

Thierry Dalais (50) (Chairman)

Thierry is a 1975 Old Boy and past parent.  Thierry completed degrees in accounting and commerce at the University of Witwatersrand and went on to have a sucessful career in investment banking and private equity having founded a number of successful firms in this arena.  Thierry serves as a board member and trustee member of a number of listed and unlisted companies and Trusts.

Thierry agreed to serve as a Trustee because he believes in M arist educational values and is a supporter of the Foundation’s objectives.
 

Brother Jude Pieterse (69)

Br Jude has been very involved in the M arist Province of South Africa in his various roles as Teacher, Principal and Provincial.   Br Jude has, over the years, served on a variety of boards, trusts and committees.

Br Jude agreed to serve as a Trustee on the Foundation because he believes that as a M arist school, it is important that people understand that the school and the Foundation have the full support of the Brothers.  He is keen to ensure that St David’s is as accessible as possible to deserving children and wants to assist with the transformation of St David’s. 

Paul Vidas (37)

Paul is a 1989 Old Boy.  He is currently the M anaging Director of PV Venture
Consulting SA (Pty) Ltd.

Paul represents the interests of the Old Boys’ Association on the board of Trustees and accepted the trusteeship as he believes that the Old Boys’ community must be involved in ensuring the ongoing future success of the school.  Having attended M arist Brothers for his entire school career and seeing the opportunities his education afforded him, he believes that it is his responsibility to give something back to the school.  Paul believes that this support is not necessarily financial, but can be measured in time dedicated to making the Foundation successful in achieving its goals.

Salvatore ( Sava ) Osato (51)

Sava is presently Chairman of the Antimo Group of Companies.  After selling the Brazilian group, the Osato brothers created the Fego Coffee Shop brand which now has franchises all over the country as well as in the .  He is a current parent.
Sava agreed to serve as a Trustee because he wants to ensure that other boys from disadvantaged communities have the opportunity to enjoy the excellent educational experience that St David’s offers.

Giovanni (Gianni) (47) Vincenzo M ariano

Gianni is the founder and CEO of the M astrantonio Group and the Director of a number of private companies.  Gianni serves on a number of boards of Public Benefit Organisations.  He is a current parent.

Gianni agreed to serve as a Trustee because he agrees with St M arcellin Champagnat’s concern that no child should have to forego an education because of his or her circumstances is as relevant today as it was in the nineteenth century.  The M arist mission and the perpetuation of the M arist family require the intervention of people who have a common belief and are motivated to contribute in whatever way possible. The Foundation was established with these very goals and ideals in mind. He believes passionately in the School and especially in M arist education.

Paul Hanratty (49)

Born and educated in Harare, he holds a B. Bus. Sci (Hons) from the University of Cape Town with distinction in all subjects and qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in 1987.  Paul is the M anaging Director of Old M utual South Africa and is married to Cathy, they have 3 sons at St David’s.

Steve von Roretz (50)

Steve graduated from Ratcliffe College , Leicester, and immigrated to SA in 1983.  After being employed by Glenrand M IB Ltd until 2006 he is now a key shareholder in Leppard and Associates, a specialist professional indemnity and liability insurance underwriter, where Steve serves in an executive capacity

Atul Gupta (40)

After graduating with a B Sc from M eerut University in 1989, Atul moved to where he developed from inception Sahara Holdings.  Chairman and M D at Sahara Holdings, he has, together with the Gupta family, built an IT organisation from a five-person operation to a 1,8 billion Rand PC distribution company and established a Proudly South African brand.

M ike Greeff (47) (ex officio - Chief Executive)

M ike joined St David’s from the business world having run his own business in the International Development Finance arena for the past 8 years.  M ike has been involved with St David’s over the last 5 years in his roles as a consultant. 

As an ex officio trustee he plans to represent the school and its continued sustainability and growth into the future through managing the smooth operational functioning of the Foundation and liaison with the Old Boy network via the representatives on the Foundation.

Rick Wilson (57) (ex officio – Head: Prep School)

Rick has been in education for 36 years, moving from to , and then back to his current post at St David’s.  He has been a Headmaster for 25 years.

As an ex officio Trustee he believes the School M anagement have a crucial role to play in projecting future needs in various arenas within the school.  He believes that the Foundation is going to fulfill an increasingly crucial role in ensuring the schools sustainability and marketability.    

Malcolm Williams (51) (ex officio – Head: High School)

M alcolm began his teaching career at King Edward VII where he was appointed as H.O.D. English and held the position of Senior Housemaster in the senior hostel.  He later moved to Sandown High School as Deputy Head, before taking up the position of College Deputy Headmaster at St David’s.  He was appointed as Head: High School in 2002.  Malcolm was recently elected to the ISASA/ Independent Schools' Association National Council and the SAHISA/ South African Heads of Independent Schools' National Executive, where he represents High Schools. 

As an ex officio Trustee he believes that the Foundation is a key initiative for the school and plans to assist in ensuring the success of this venture. 

Robin Smith (50) (ex officio – Chairman of Board of Governors)

Robin has served on the St David’s Board of Governors for some eight years, currently in the capacity as Chairman. He also plays an active role in the areas of campus development and finance and was integrally involved in the decision to establish the St David’s Foundation. He is a Chartered Accountant by qualification and is an executive director and partner of Liberty Star Consumer Holdings (Pty) Ltd – a food manufacturing and fast-moving-consumer-goods group. Robin is married to Alison and they have two sons at St David’s.

Chantal Ratcliffe (38) (ex officio – Director: Foundation)

Chantal has been involved in the education sector for over 12 years.  Leaving the Natal University Development Foundation she joined RAU as a Chief Fundraiser before starting her own fundraising consultancy.

As an ex officio Trustee she brings her fundraising expertise to the Board coupled with her driving passion to build and nurture a culture of philanthropy in our nation.

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